A method of forming a wick using a mandrel is disclosed. The method includes positioning a wick mesh about the mandrel, positioning a sheath about the mandrel and the wick mesh, coupling a first fitting to the mandrel, wherein the first fitting comprises an adapter configured to couple with a source of pressure, and pressurizing the mandrel with the source of pressure to hydraulically expand the mandrel such that that mandrel compresses the wick mesh against the sheath and forms the wick.

A rotary draw machine to facilitate bending a tube between leading and trailing tangents thereof to a target bend angle is disclosed. A die-set defines a rotary bend die that is actuatably rotatable to bend the tube. A linear carriage assembly is pivotably coupled to the die-set to support the tube and feed the tube to the die-set. First and second rotation sensors are positioned to sense rotation at the respective leading and trailing tangents. A controller is operably coupled to the die-set and connected to the first and second rotation sensors. The controller is configured to cause tube bending and then release of the tube from the die-set, to receive data indicative of leading and trailing angles from the respective first and second rotation sensors, and then cause bending of the tube to compensate for spring back based on an initial bend angle, and the leading and trailing angles.

A rotary draw machine to facilitate bending a tube between leading and trailing tangents thereof to a target bend angle is disclosed. A die-set defines a rotary bend die that is actuatably rotatable to bend the tube. A linear carriage assembly is pivotably coupled to the die-set to support the tube and feed the tube to the die-set. First and second rotation sensors are positioned to sense rotation at the respective leading and trailing tangents. A controller is operably coupled to the die-set and connected to the first and second rotation sensors. The controller is configured to cause tube bending and then release of the tube from the die-set, to receive data indicative of leading and trailing angles from the respective first and second rotation sensors, and then cause bending of the tube to compensate for spring back based on an initial bend angle, and the leading and trailing angles.